The mouth extends back as far as the middle of the eye and the jaws are each equipped with a single row of conical teeth with 1 or 2 pairs of enlarged canines at the front.

[5] Etelis carbunculus is found over rock substrates and rocky reefs at depths between 90 and 400 m (300 and 1,310 ft), in or around the benthos.

[6] These parasites have what is possibly the longest valid generic name of the zoological nomenclature for a non-fossil organism.

[7] Etelis carbunculus was first formally described in 1828 by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with the type locality given as Mahé in the Seychelles.

[9] The specific name carbunculus is a “ruby red precious stone”, a reference to the reddish colour of this fish.

[10] Etelis carbunculus is a target for fisheries throughout its range and the stocks have been reported to be declining in some regions.